BOSTON- Friday, December 20, 2013- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in partnership with Peter Pan Bus Lines, today announced new regional transportation services coming soon as part of the new BusPlus+program to increase the intercity and commuter transportation options available across the Commonwealth and all of New England.

BusPlus+ is a public/private partnership in which MassDOT provides new regional buses to private for-profit bus companies. The companies in return must deliver regional services improvements and will be responsible for all bus maintenance and operating costs. The federally-funded competitive grant program includes replacement of 31 regional buses with new, state-of-the-art vehicles.

Peter Pan: Springfield, Sturbridge, Worcester, and Framingham to Boston- one new round-trip Monday – Sunday, expected to begin on January 14, 2014.. Sturbridge is a new stop, and will also be serviced by the Hartford-Worcester-Boston route..

Peter Pan: Woods Hole, Falmouth, Bourne, Buzzards Bay, and Wareham to Boston- one new round-trip Monday – Sunday, expected to begin on January 13, 2014. Buzzards Bay is a new stop and the number of Wareham stops will increase from two to four stops per day.

Additional BusPlus+ services involving several other bus companies serving additional communities are also expected to begin early in 2014.

“BusPlus+ is already making a positive difference for customers with new buses and better options in expanded regional transportation services,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey, “and I thank our intercity and commuter transit partners for helping us in making this happen.”

“We are successfully following through in our promise to increase service in Massachusetts and across New England, and we look forward to additional enhancements for customers in the months ahead,” said MassDOT Transit Division Administrator and MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott.

“The Bus Plus+ program is a great example of a creative partnership between MassDOT and Peter Pan” said Peter A. Picknelly, Chairman and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines. “We’re very pleased to offer these new services to Massachusetts residents and visitors, and the new buses are a key addition to our fleet”.

The public/private partnership includes coordination among all New England state transportation departments including New York. The regional service improvements provided through the new BusPlus+ service includes the creation of new routes, addition of stops to existing routes, extension of existing routes, and increased route frequency.

The BusPlus+ program will replace regional buses previously purchased through the MassDOT Intercity Bus Capital Assistance Program (IBCAP).

BusPlus+ is funded by a Federal Transit Administration State of Good Repair grant and will be overseen by MassDOT’s Rail & Transit Division.

New buses include the latest advances in safety and equipped with fully outfitted restrooms, increased leg room, new comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and 110V power outlets at every seat. MassDOT through BusPlus+ is working towards the goal of providing a universal smart phone ticketing applications to all riders.

BusPlus+ assists MassDOT in meeting Governor Patrick’s ambitious goal of reducing Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the year 2020. Vehicles represent a large source of these gases. MassDOT is committed to pursuing healthier travel options, including biking, walking or transit.

In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was created to unify the state’s various transportation agencies. MassDOT now includes the Highway division, the MBTA and Mass Transit, Aeronautics, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. MassDOT is committed to providing a safe and reliable transportation system to all those who travel in the Commonwealth and works to deliver excellent customer service. MassDOT has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to transportation, including the Accelerated Bridge Program, the “Where’s My Bus and Train?” apps and “Fast 14” work. For more information, visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.

Peter Pan Bus Lines is a transportation leader and has been recognized by riders throughout the Northeast for over 80 years. The family-owned company established in Springfield, MA is one of the country’s largest privately owned intercity bus companies. The company operates premier regular-route service and support throughout Massachusetts as well as to over 100 communities throughout the Northeast corridor. Daily EXPRESS service is available to major cities across the Northeast including Boston. Commuters, college students and travelers headed to the Berkshires, western mass, Cape & Islands or surrounding communities can find convenient schedules and affordable fares to their destination. The company also operates Charter bus service. For fare and schedule information and to purchase tickets call 1-800-343-9999 or visit the website at www.peterpanbus.com. For the latest news & travel deals, follow PeterPanBus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PeterPanBus or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PeterPanBusLines.